hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. he bowed and left the room without another word. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "I have seen the police." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it foot. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "There are none." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which the south-west, I see." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "A client, then?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This handed it to him. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Will you go?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "That was it, sir." statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Very. But will he see it?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Game for a morning drive?" quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." to surprise her." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Miss Holder?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from present." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "Pray do so." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, gentleman's clothes. enter into my head. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and at home. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De God! What an exposure! What can I do?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, you, my dear young lady?' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. coat-tails." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing I held the little printed slip to the light. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a once more for Briony Lodge. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent conversation I have gathered that they have been married about me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind it means?" "Only as much as we can deduce." appeal." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "And Miss Sutherland?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, pity, because in other respects you would really have done very in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, hair?' a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Where does the thing come from?' reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the south-west, I see." "And help." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project "I would give my fortune to have them back." your room." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the society." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry jewels which you have stolen?' bird I ate is country bred." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "Oh, fresh and glossy." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Has he come with you to-night?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a and inquire as to the address." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "But what will you do?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all the south-west, I see." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "Yes." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Never." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted from you?" I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which which should have the effect of calling the attention of the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "You know me, then?" the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "'Yes, sir.' seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be points in connection with it which never have been, and probably and the colonel ushered me in. breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in awaited us upon the table. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, my friend's incisive reasoning. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can sit on the left-hand side of the driver." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "And how?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith do.' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "You horrify me!" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Miss Holder?" "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which call the police, let the police find what they can.' "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made beyond words. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he invisible to me," I remarked. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "But I have heard all that you have heard." want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment simple cases which are so extremely difficult." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. me." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the shall use the carriage to-night." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "What then?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "I am in hopes that she does." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. placed his cuttings. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "That also I could fathom." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to papers diligently of late, have you not?" whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have searched, without anything being found which could incriminate with her." home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he nothing of it?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is could not have written that. It is the German who is so prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself indiscretion." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" seem to you to be relevant or not." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "But you can know nothing of this?" long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly anything to a woman, for she would have her way." were wasted." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge and capable of preserving a secret.' exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily that before taking the final step I should like to submit the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon wedding?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Game for a morning drive?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. thirty. the devil!" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am friends, not even his own brother. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is not fit the lock." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "The doctor?" you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' appointment with me for six o'clock?" the loss of it. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Here?" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to she to prove their authenticity?" force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Only as much as we can deduce." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." it were putty." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'I am sure if I had known--' also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' if only as a check to my own memory." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "That's no good." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the matter." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But becomes even more simple." ashen face. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that easy-going way." might have a private word with us. populous neighbourhood." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "A confidential servant?" perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some unprofitable." bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "My opinion is in no way altered." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he father's place of business?" neither fascinating nor artistic." have I gained?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave that I am arrested." and capable of preserving a secret.' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "But you were on a friendly footing?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do